ES2552666T3 - Signal set - Google Patents

Abstract

A signal assembly (10) comprising: a structure (14) defining a perimeter region, said structure including at least one frame member (16) having an outer surface (18) and a channel (26) in said outer surface; an exposure sheet (12) that includes an exposure part (66), an outermost perimeter edge part (72) surrounding said exposure part (66); and a flexible retainer element (28) mounted on said channel (26) of said at least one frame member (16), said exposure sheet (12) includes a coupling part (70) comprising flexible sheet material, and wherein a part of said exposure sheet (12) is configured to be placed on at least a part of said outer surface (18) of said frame member (16) with said coupling part (70) of said exposure sheet disposed in said channel (26) of said frame member (16); and wherein said flexible retaining element (28) is configured to releasably engage said coupling part (70) of said exposure sheet when said coupling part (70) is at least partially installed through said flexible retaining element (28), characterized in that said coupling part is spaced inwardly from said outermost perimeter edge part (72) and that said flexible retaining element comprises a plurality of openings (63) to engage said coupling part ( 70) of said exposure sheet (12).

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Set of signal Field of the invention

The present invention is directed to signaling and, more specifically, to signals that include structure to support flexible exposure surfaces.

Background of the invention

US Patent 5,896,689 describes an ad poster device in which posters made of paper or something similar can be changed at any time. Cloth or fabric signals tend to be more durable than paper signs, resist permanent folds and may be less expensive than other materials commonly used for signs, such as plastic sheet materials. One of the challenges in providing a satisfactory exposure surface made of cloth or fabric sheet material is to ensure that there are no wrinkles that can detract from the appearance of the signal. Another challenge is to reduce the effort or difficulty of working with tissues that generally do not maintain a fixed shape unless they are held tight. Document CA 2207949 A1 describes a signal assembly according to the preamble of the present claim 1, and a method for assembling a signal.

Compendium of the invention

The present invention provides a signal assembly according to claim 1. The signal assembly facilitates the uniform mounting or support of a sheet of fabric or fabric having an exposure surface, and substantially concealing a structure on which the sheet is mounted of tissue. In the present application, the terms "fabric" and "fabric" are used as synonyms, and refer to substantially any synthetic material of interlaced or non-interlaced flexible sheet of natural or synthetic material. The signal assembly of the present invention includes a structure, such as a rectangular structure or a structure having another shape, which includes openings defined in a resilient strip of material associated with the structure. Parts of the exposure sheet penimeter can be pushed into the openings so that the sheet parts are retained in those openings, which can easily be achieved by an installer using a finger or a blunt tool. This action retains the exposure sheet in the structure once the finger or tool is removed. Once the exposure sheet is mounted on the structure, the sheet remains adjustable or replaceable by releasing and relocating parts of the penimeter region of the exposure sheet into the individual openings of the structure, and optionally without the need of tools.

According to one example, a signal set includes a structure that has at least one frame member defining a penimeter region, the frame member includes a plurality of flexible retaining elements. Each of the flexible retaining elements is made of a flexible and resilient sheet material that defines at least one opening or joint, such as a slit, a groove or a hole. The signal assembly also includes an exposure sheet having an outer penimeter region with a coupling part made of a flexible material. The flexible retaining elements are configured to releasably engage the coupling part of the exposure sheet when regions of the coupling part are at least partially installed through the openings of the flexible retaining elements.

In one aspect, the coupling part of the exposure sheet includes an outer penimeter region of the exposure sheet. Optionally, at least the coupling part of the exposure sheet is a tissue or tissue-like material.

In another aspect, the entire exposure sheet is made of flexible fabric material.

In yet another aspect, the structure includes left and right frame members spaced apart from each other, and upper and lower frame members spaced between st. The upper and lower frame members join the left and right frame members to form a rectangular frame. .

In a further aspect, the flexible retainer element includes at least one groove pattern defined between a plurality of flexible finger parts in a flexible strip. The flexible finger parts deviate in the groove pattern to form an opening when the coupling part of the exposure sheet is at least partially urged through the groove pattern. Optionally, the flexible retainer element includes a repetitive series of groove patterns in the flexible strip. The flexible retaining element may also include a weakened portion between adjacent groove patterns, so that the weakened portion can be broken or torn, if desired, to join adjacent groove patterns together. Optionally, the flexible retaining element is disposed substantially parallel to the outer surface of the frame member.

In a further aspect, the signal assembly includes a cover element that is coupled to the frame member to cover the channel. Optionally, the cover element fits by elastic jump on the frame member, and walls or secures a part of the exposure sheet between the cover element and a part of the cover member.

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frame, to retain at least partially the exposure sheet in the frame member. Optionally, the cover element pivotally engages the frame member and is movable between an opening position in which said channel is exposed and a closing position in which said channel is covered by said cover element.

According to a form of the present invention according to claim 1, a signal assembly includes a structure, a flexible retaining element and an exposure sheet. The structure defines a penimeter region and includes at least one frame member that has an outer surface that defines a channel. The flexible retainer element is mounted in the channel of the frame member. The exposure sheet includes an exposure part and a coupling part, wherein at least the coupling part of the exposure sheet is made of a flexible tissue-like fabric or material. The part of the exposure sheet near the coupling part is placed on at least a part of the outer surface of the frame member, with at least the coupling part of the exposure sheet disposed in the channel of the frame member. The flexible retaining element is configured to releasably engage the coupling part of the exposure sheet when the coupling part of the sheet is at least partially installed through the flexible retaining element.

According to one example, a signal assembly includes a structure that defines a penimeter region and that has at least one frame member, a plurality of flexible retaining elements in the frame member and an exposure sheet. Each of the flexible retaining elements is an opening, or a slit, or a groove formed in a flexible or resilient sheet material. The exposure sheet includes a coupling part made of flexible fabric or fabric-like material. The flexible retaining elements are configured to be releasably coupled to the coupling part of the exposure sheet when regions of the coupling part are installed at least partially through the respective of the flexible retaining elements.

The invention also provides a method for assembling a signal according to claim 14.

Accordingly, the signal assembly of the present invention allows exposure of a fabric or fabric signal so that a structure associated with the signal is substantially hidden from view, and so that wrinkles in the material can be easily removed of cloth signal. The fabric signal material can be easily installed or replaced along the structure, whether or not removing the structure of a wall or other support surface, and optionally without the use of tools.

These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of the invention will become more apparent when reviewing the following specification along with the drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a signal set according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lower left corner portion of the structure of the signal assembly of FIG. one;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of a lower frame member of the signal assembly;

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of a part of an upper frame member of the structure of the signal assembly of FIG. 1, and that includes a part of a cover element;

FIG. 4B is another perspective view of the frame member and the cover element of FIG. 4A, shown with the cover element installed;

FIG. 5A is a sectional side elevation of a part of the upper frame member, similar to FIG. 4A, and that has an exhibition sheet installed;

FIG. 5B is another side elevation in section of the frame member and the exposure sheet of FIG. 5A, with the cover element installed as in FIG. 4B;

FIG. 6A is a partially exploded perspective view of a part of an alternative upper frame member, and that includes a part of a cover element;

FIG. 6B is another perspective view of the frame member and the cover element of FIG. 6A, shown with the cover element installed;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a section of an alternative flexible retainer for use with the signal assembly;

FIG. 8 is an end elevation of the alternative flexible retainer element of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a section of another alternative flexible retainer element;

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FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a section of another alternative flexible retainer element;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a section of yet another alternative flexible retainer element;

FIG. 12 is a side elevation of a frame member with another alternative flexible retaining element;

FIG. it is a side elevation of another frame member with hinge mounted cover shown in an opening position;

FIG. 14 is another side elevation of the frame member of FIG. 12, with the hinge mounted cover shown in a closed position; Y

FIG. 15 is a side elevation of another frame member shown supported by a wall bracket. Description of preferred embodiments

Referring now to the drawings and illustrative embodiments represented therein, a signal assembly 10 allows exposure of a flexible exposure sheet 12, which is made at least partially of fabric, fabric or a similar flexible sheet material (FIG . one). Exposure sheet 12 may have writing, art work or other printing applied thereto, so that sheet 12 can be used to display advertisements, messages, images or the like. The exposure sheet 12 is held taut by a structure 14, which includes a plurality of frame members 16. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the frame members 16 include upper (16a), left (16b), lower (16c) and right (16d) frame members arranged so that the structure 14 is rectangular, although it is appreciated that the frame members can be arrange in other ways. The structure 14 releasably retains the exposure sheet 12 by coupling parts of the sheet along its penimeter, in a way that allows the sheet to be easily connected, adjusted and disconnected along the frame members, while presenting a clean appearance out of the finished signal assembly.

In the illustrated embodiment, each frame member 16a-d is an extruded member, such as of aluminum or other easily extruded material, and has a substantially constant cross section along its length. Each frame member includes exterior or outwardly oriented surfaces 18, interior or inwardly oriented surfaces 20, and rear or rearwardly oriented surfaces 22. For example, and with reference to FIG. 2, the left frame member 16b includes a generally inwardly oriented surface 20b, an outwardly oriented surface 18b, and a rearwardly oriented surface 22b, while the lower frame member 16c includes an inwardly oriented surface 20c, an inwardly oriented surface outside 18c, and a surface facing back 22c. In the preceding description, each frame member 16a-d is substantially identical to the other frame members (except possibly in length), so that while each frame member 16a-d has its own features or elements, referred to herein with reference numbers ending with the same suffix a, b, c and d (eg upper frame member 16a includes an outwardly oriented surface 18a), it will be appreciated that a characteristic given in relation to an illustrated frame member 16 is included in each frame member unless otherwise indicated, these common features can be referred to herein with either or without a suffix. For simplicity, certain frame members are shown in the drawings only; it being understood that the same or similar features or aspects are generally included in each of the other frame members.

In the illustrated embodiment, each frame member 16 has opposite ends 24 (ends 24b and 24c are shown in FIG. 2) mitered at a 45 degree angle to present a clean finished appearance and a 90 degree corner where Each frame member meets an adjacent frame member. It will be appreciated that, alternatively, the ends of each frame member may be cut or mitered at a different angle to create structures with other shapes, such as non-rectangular polygonal shapes. It is further conceived that, while the illustrated frame members 16a-d are generally straight, one or more frame members may be curved to provide an arcuate part of a structure, or even an oval or circular structure, as desired. Optionally, it is conceived that the exposure sheet 12 can be supported in a hanging manner by only one frame member 16, or could extend between two or more frame members that are coupled together or mounted separately with a substantially fixed spacing, without departing of the scope of the present invention.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the outer surfaces 18b, 18c are generally flat and define the outer penimeter of the structure 14. The outer surfaces 18b, 18c are spaced outwardly or forwardly from the rearwardly facing surfaces 22b, 22c to form respective channels 26b, 26c in which respective flexible retaining elements 28b, 28c are supported, as described below. The rear facing surfaces 22b, 22c are formed by respective supporting elements 30b, 30c of the frame members 16b, 16c. The support elements 30b, 30c also form channels 32b, 32c along the inwardly oriented surfaces 20b, 20c, each channel 32b, 32c to receive a respective part of an L-shaped corner square at the junction between opposite ends miter 24b, 24c. The L-shaped corner bracket 34 is a conventional square as can be used in the construction of metal frame frames, and includes a plurality of threaded holes 36 to receive respective threaded fasteners (not

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show), which are tightened in the holes 36 to secure the L-shaped corner bracket 34 in the channels 32b, 32c formed by the support elements 30b, 30c. In this manner, the corner brackets 34 couple the adjacent frame members 16 together and stabilize the miter joint.

To further secure the structure, each of the frame members 16b, 16c includes two screw elevations 38b, 40b and 38c, 40c that are formed as semi-tubular channels in each frame member, as best shown in FIGS. 4A-5B. As shown in FIG. 3, the screw elevations facilitate the assembly of the structure 14 by allowing the connection of respective frame members at their opposite miter ends using threaded fasteners, including front screws 42 and rear screws 44. As shown in FIG. 3, the front screw 42 is disposed in a through hole (not shown) on the outer surface 18c of the frame member 16c, and is threadedly coupled (such as self-tapping) with the front screw elevation 38b of the frame member 16b Similarly, the rear screw 44 is disposed in a through hole (not shown) near a portion of flexible retainer element 28c and the support element 30c, so that the rear screw 44 is threadedly coupled (by self-tapping) to the elevation 40b rear screw of frame member 16b. As indicated above, each frame member can be made of soft materials such as aluminum, in part to facilitate self-tapping coupling with a threaded fastener, although it is conceived that other molded, machined or extruded materials, including others, can be used metals or nonmetals.

Optionally, the frame members of each structure can be scaled up or down in size, or vary in length, as appropriate, to accommodate different sizes of exposure sheets and / or exposure locations. It will be appreciated that the profile (s) of the frame member (s) can be varied significantly according to the needs of a particular installation, without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, screw lifts and L-shaped mounting brackets can be removed or supplemented with the use of other bonding methods, such as welding, bonding with adhesives, mutual locking parts or something similar, to connect the members of frame between sf

Thus, structure 14 can be assembled from a plurality of substantially identical straight frame members 16a-d using threaded fasteners 42, 44 and corner brackets 34. It will be appreciated that while the preceding description of structure 14 is directed to Features and joining elements of the left frame member 16b and the lower frame member 16c, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper frame member 16a can be attached to the left and right frame members 16b, 16d in a substantially identical manner, and the right frame member 16d can also be attached to the upper frame member 16a and the member of lower frame 16c in a substantially identical manner.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the opening of the channel 26a is defined between a lip or rear contoured surface 46a of the support member 30a and an average contoured part or surface 48a which is spaced from the rear lip 46a and located near the outer surface 18a. An elongated cover or cover element 50a is generally symmetric about its longitudinal axis, and includes a front contoured part 52a and a rear contoured part 54a that are substantially identical to each other as a mirror image so that the cover element 50a can be invertible. . The front contoured part 52a of the cover element 50a is shaped in a manner generally corresponding to that of the average contoured surface 48a of the frame member 16a, so that the front contoured part 52a can be releasably coupled or engaged to the surface. 48a mean contoured, as fitted by elastic jump. Similarly, the rear contoured part 54a has a shape corresponding to that of the rear contoured lip or surface 46a so that the rear contoured part 54a can be releasably coupled or hooked to the rear contoured surface 46a, as fitted by elastic jump (FIG 4B). With the cover element 50a coupled to the frame member 16a, an outer surface 56a of the cover element is substantially coplanar with the outer surface 18a of the frame member 16a (FIGS. 4B and 5B). Thus, the elongated cover element 50a covers or closes the opening of the channel 26a to present a clean finished appearance, and also to help secure the exposure sheet 12 to the structure 14, as described below.

Within the channel 26a, the frame member 16a includes a backward retaining support member 58 and a forward retaining support member 60, each of which receives a respective side portion of the flexible retainer element 28a, as shown in FIGS. 4A-5B. Each retaining support 58, 60 of the frame member 16a includes a recess or channel generally in the form of L 62, 64 to receive correspondingly shaped opposite sides of the flexible retaining element 28a. Each side of the flexible retainer element 28a is formed in an L-shape with a 90 degree curve, so that the flexible element 28a can easily slide into a secure coupling with the frame member 16a, before assembling the members of the frame, by aligning opposite L-shaped sides of the flexible retaining element with the L-shaped recesses 62, 64 of the retaining brackets 58, 60. This allows a central part of the flexible retaining element 28a to expand by a part of the channel 26a, between the retaining support elements 58, 60, at an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the rearwardly oriented surface 22a and the outwardly oriented surface 18a. Optionally, it is conceived that the retaining elements can be arranged in a channel along surfaces oriented within a structure, but this will result in greater visibility or exposure of the structure itself, which may be less desirable at least for reasons Aesthetics

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It is further conceived that a flexible retaining element can be supported in the channel of the frame member to be substantially parallel to the outwardly oriented surface, and substantially perpendicular to the rearwardly oriented surface. For example, and with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B, an alternative frame member 116a has various shapes and features that generally correspond to those of the frame member 16a, described above, which are identical by adding 100 to the corresponding reference numbers. Thus, for example, the alternative frame member 116a includes an outer surface 118a generally corresponding to the outer surface 18a of the frame member 16a, and the frame member 116a also includes a cavity 126a (FIG. 6A) with a defined opening between the contoured rear lip 146a and an average contoured surface 148a, etc.

Within the channel 126a, the frame member 116a includes a backward retaining support member 158 and a forward retaining support member 160, each of which receives a respective side portion of an alternative flexible retaining element 128a (FIG. 6A -6B). Each retaining support 158, 160 of the frame member 116a includes a recess or channel generally L-shaped 162, 164 for receiving correspondingly shaped opposite sides of the flexible retaining element 128a. Each side of the flexible retainer element 128a is formed in an L-shape with a 90 degree curve, so that the flexible retainer element 128a can easily slide into a secure coupling with the frame member 116a, before assembling the members of frame, by aligning the opposite L-shaped sides of the flexible retainer element with the L-shaped channels 162, 164 of the retainer brackets 158, 160, so that a central part of the flexible retainer element 128a extends through of a part of the channel 26a, between flexible retaining elements 158, 160.

The retaining support elements 158, 160 are arranged so that the flexible retaining element 128a is mounted substantially parallel with the outer surface 118a. With the flexible retainer element 128a mounted parallel to the outer surface 118a, the fingers of an installer or tool can be pushed through the groove patterns 163 in a direction that is substantially parallel to the rearwardly oriented surface 122. This may facilitate the installation of an exposure sheet while installing the structure on a wall or other support surface, such as preventing interference between the tool (or the fingers of the installer) and the wall, and could be more likely to occur when the flexible retainer element 28a is mounted at a 45 degree angle (FIGS. 4A-5B).

The flexible retaining elements, including the retaining element 28a shown in FIGS. 4A-5B, are formed as an extruded strip of flexible and resilient material, such as plastic or polymeric resin or something similar. As indicated above, the opposite sides of each flexible retainer element 28 are formed in an L-shape with 90 degree curves to facilitate connection of the retainer element to a respective frame member 16. However, it will be appreciated that they can be used other shapes or configurations of opposite sides of the flexible retaining elements, with retaining brackets correspondingly formed of the frame members, to facilitate their secure connection to the retaining brackets of the frame member, so that the flexible retaining elements can be easily connected and safely during the assembly of the structure.

The flexible retaining element 28a defines a repetitive pattern of slits, grooves and / or openings 63 ("groove patterns 63") to form a plurality of resilient fingers 65 directly inward toward the center of each groove pattern 63. It is conceived that various different groove patterns can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention, and are not limited to the groove pattern 63 of FIGS. 3, 4A and 4B. For example, and with reference to FIG. 7, the alternative flexible retainer element 128 includes a groove pattern 163 with six resilient fingers 165a-f. The upper and lower resilient fingers 165a, 165d are substantially identical between sf and symmetrical, while the upper right resilient finger 165b, the lower right resilient finger 165c, the lower left resilient finger 165e and the upper left resilient finger 165f have one side ( defined by a slit or slot) that is longer than another. It will be appreciated that the terms "slit pattern" and "slot pattern" are used generically or substantially interchangeably herein to refer to only a slit or groove that is straight, curved or spiked, and even substantially any number of slits or slots or openings, in substantially any configuration, and that the patterns described herein are merely exemplary.

The resilient fingers 65 and 165a-f are flexible and tend to return to a flat configuration when they are in their relaxed uncoupled state, as shown. However, when a force is applied near the center of a pattern of slots or slits, the resilient fingers deviate away from the force applied to create or enlarge the space or spaces between the respective fingers, thus creating an opening of sufficient size to receive a portion of exposure sheet 12, as described below. Typically, the force applied to each pattern of slots or slits is achieved simply by an installer that pushes with your finger, although it will be appreciated that a blunt tool, such as a handle or screwdriver tip, or the blunt end of A writing instrument. For example, a tool that has a blunt end (so as not to snag or tear the exposure sheet) and a smooth rod can be particularly well suited for installing a portion of the exposure sheet through the opening of the flexible retainer, and to cleanly remove the tool without removing the blade part again out of the opening.

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While the flexible retainer element 28a is shown to have a substantially constant thickness, including the L-shaped side parts (FIG. 4A-5B), the thickness of the extruded strip forming the flexible retainer element can be varied so that affect the strength and resilience or ability to deviate from the resilient fingers. For example, a lower surface 129 of the flexible retainer element 128 is generally arcuate in shape with the thickest parts formed near the opposite L-shaped sides (FIG. 8). The pattern of grooves 63, 163 can be die cut into the respective flexible retaining elements 28, 128 after extrusion, or they can be molded at the same time as the formation of the flexible retaining elements, for example.

In another embodiment, a flexible retaining element 128 'includes an almost continuous zigzag pattern composed of a pattern of repetitive grooves shaped W 163' (FIG. 9). The W-shaped groove pattern 163 'is formed by four slit legs 164a'-d' arranged at angles between each other, each of the first three slit legs 164a'-c 'having substantially the same length, and having the fourth slit leg 164d 'a somewhat shorter length. W-shaped groove patterns 163 'are arranged so that the fourth slit leg 164d' of a pattern ends before the start of the first slit leg 164a 'of the next pattern, leaving a segment or section 166' of material not cut between adjacent groove patterns 163 '.

Each groove pattern 163 'thus defines three resilient fingers 165a'-c' that are arranged adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the retaining element 128 '. A first resilient finger 165a 'is defined between the first slit leg 164a' and the second slit leg 164b ', a second resilient finger 165b' is defined between the second slit leg 164b 'and the third slit leg 164c' and a third resilient finger 165c 'is defined between the third slit leg 164c' and the fourth slit leg 164d '. This allows the flexible retainer element 128 'to be manufactured, handled and installed as a single piece, while allowing a substantially continuous coupling of the penimeter region of an exposure sheet between resilient fingers 165a'-c' of the patterns of grooves 163 '. The adjacent longitudinal arrangement of resilient fingers 165a'-c 'also allows an enlarged opening to receive the exposure sheet penimeter, which can more easily accept heavier, thicker or less flexible exposure sheet materials than any of the patterns More smalls.

Optionally, segment 166 'can define a particularly small uncut space between adjacent groove patterns 163', or it can define a marked line or weakened or frangible region or something similar, which is adapted to tear or break when sufficient force is applied , for example when an installer inserts the penimeter of an exposure sheet into a groove pattern 163 '. Thus, once the flexible retaining element 128 'is installed in a structure, two or more adjacent groove patterns 163' can be linked together to provide a substantially continuous zigzag groove pattern along the length of the groove patterns, wherever segments 166 'are broken. This creates what becomes a fourth resilient finger 165d 'between the fourth slit leg 164d' 'of a groove pattern 163' and the first slit leg 165a 'of an adjacent groove pattern. Since the opposite sides of the retaining element 128 'are secured by the structure in substantially the same manner as with the retaining elements 28, described above, even if a given retaining element 128' is completely broken into two pieces, it will remain supported on the structure and it may be coupled and retain a substantially continuous length of the exposure sheet, rather than only relatively small independent parts of the penimeter region of the exposure sheet.

Other types of flexible retaining elements are also conceived, including flexible retaining elements with only holes, or with only a single deflection part. For example, and with reference to FIG. 10, another flexible retaining element 228 defines a repetitive pattern of semicircular slits 263 that form individual resilient fingers 265 that act as a hinged or resilient fin when pressed with a finger or a tool. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 10, each resilient finger 265 is a semicircular fin that remains coupled to the rest of the flexible retainer element 228 in a resilient hinge part 267. When a portion of the exposure sheet is pushed against the finger 265, the finger pivots and deflects in the hinge part 267 to allow part of the exposure sheet to pass through a defined resulting hole between the semicircular slit 263 and the hinge part 267. It will be appreciated that other shapes of a single slit can also be used.

An alternative to the flexible retaining elements having deviable fingers defined between slits or grooves is conceived as a simple hole or opening in a retaining element, the retaining element being either nested or resilient and / or extensible and elastic. For example, and with reference to FIG. 11, another retaining element 328 defines a repetitive pattern of holes 363. The holes 363 can be large enough so that the finger of an installer or a blunt tool can pass through each hole together with a part of the exposure sheet, in which the exposure sheet is sufficiently sharp and / or textured to be detachably retained in the hole 363 after the removal of the finger or the tool. Optionally, at least one region of penimeter 365 that surrounds each hole 363 may be sufficiently flexible or resilient to allow some deviation from the retaining element 328 that surrounds hole 363, to aid in insertion of the exposure sheet. In addition, it is conceived that each region of penimeter 365 may be extensible, so that hole 363 is initially enlarged when the installer inserts a finger or tool with the exposure sheet, and so that the region of penimeter 365 narrows after the removal of the finger or the tool, to tighten the penimeter region and effectively contract the hole around the retained part of the exposure sheet.

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Another alternative to the flexible retainer elements described above is a two-piece flexible retainer element 428 that includes two parts or halves 428a, 428b that cooperate to form a pinch or retention region 463 therebetween (FIG. 12). Each part 428a, 428b of the two-part flexible retainer element 428 is mounted on a frame member 416 in the respective rearward support member 458 and a forward retainer support member 460, substantially in the same manner as has been described above with respect to other flexible retaining elements in one piece. The flexible retaining element portions 428a, 428b include respective distal end portions 465a, 465b that lock each other and give the retention region 463 a zigzag shape, which facilitates the retention of a portion of an exposure sheet in the retention region 463. The parts 428a, 428b of flexible retainer element can be deflected in a manner similar to the resilient fingers of the flexible retainer elements in one piece, so that the exposure sheet can be inserted and removed from the region of retention 463 substantially in the same way. Optionally, the flexible retaining element parts could have substantially identical distal end parts, thus requiring only a production tool to reduce costs and simplify assembly.

Optionally, a frame member 516 may have a hinge mounted cover element 550 that is retained in the frame member when it moves between opening and closing positions, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame member 516 includes an elongated hinge member 518 that extends along a region or upper part of the frame member and defines a pivot axis for the cover element 550. The cover element 550 includes an elongated hook-shaped receiving part 520 that extends at least partially around the hinge member 518, allowing the cover element 518 to pivot around the hinge member 518 between the opening position (FIG. 13 ) and the closing position (FIG. 14). The cover element 550 can be easily removed from the hinge member 518 when it is in the opening position, or it can be retained in the hinge member when it is in the opening position by a support surface S, as shown in FIG. 13.

Optionally, the cover element 550 is retained in the closed position of FIG. 14 by a resilient predisposition element 522 which expands between a first receiving part 524 of the frame member 516 and a second receiving part 526 of the cover element 550 which is placed through from the first receiving part 524 when the element Cover 550 is closed. In the illustrated embodiment, the predisposition element 522 is made of a thin resilient material to function as a flat spring, which applies a spring force component to the first and second receiving portions 524, 526 that holds the cover element 550 in the closing position until it is manually raised to the opening position of FIG. 13. When opening the cover element 550, the predisposition element 522 can apply a force between the receiving parts 524, 526 that tends to keep the cover element 550 in the opening position until it is manually urged to the position of closing. Optionally, the cover element could have a way to elastically jump into the coupling with the frame member 516 (such as in the flange 516a) when the cover element is closed.

The frame elements can be connected to a wall or other support surface by nails, bolts, hooks, adhesives, magnetic fasteners, or the like. In one embodiment, it is conceived that a frame element 616 can be configured to be releasably retained along a wall surface S by an elongated mounting strip 618 (FIG. 15). The elongate mounting strip 618 includes a wall-mounted, generally flat part 620, a deflected region 622 extending outwardly from the wall surface S, and a frame receiving part 624 that is spaced from the surface of wall S for receiving and supporting a generally flat mounting part 626 of the frame element 616. The mounting strip 618 is fastened to the wall surface S by one or more fasteners 628 that are driven through the part of coupling wall, 620 and to the wall surface S. The mounting part 626 of the frame element 616 can be easily inserted and removed from the space between the wall surface S and the frame receiving part 624 of the mounting strip 618, of so that the frame element 616 can be easily installed on the wall surface S, or removed therefrom, without the use of tools or the removal of fasteners. Typically, only the upper frame element will be supported on the mounting strips as shown, so that the entire weight of the serial assembly can be supported by the mounting strip.

Exposure sheet 12 includes a central exposure portion 66 that is typically printed with an art work, signage or other indications (not shown). As best seen in FIGS. 5A and 5B, an outer penimeter part 68 of the exposure sheet 12 may also have an image or art work printed thereon, and is configured to wrap around the outer surfaces 18 of the frame members 16, with the parts outermost of the outer penimeter part 68 received in channels 26 for coupling with the groove patterns 63 of the flexible retaining elements 28. Typically, the exposure sheet 12 is made of a substantially continuous layer of fibers, textile, fabric or fabric that can be a natural or synthetic material, such as interlaced cotton, polyester, nylon or substantially any other fabric, fabric or other sheet material, interwoven or not interwoven, that can be colored, dyed or printed with a desired pattern. However, it is not necessary that the entire exposure sheet 12 be of the same material, and in particular, the central exposure portion 66 could be a non-woven or non-woven material, such as a plastic sheet or the like. However, it is preferred that at least the outer penimeter portion 68 be made of a flexible textile or fabric, material

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similar to fabric, or other flexible material that can be easily coupled and retained in sufficient quantity in groove patterns 63 by coupling with resilient fingers 65.

Once the structure 14 is assembled, as in the rectangular configuration of FIG. 1, the exposure sheet 12 can be easily installed with the use of tools, although a blunt tool could be used to facilitate installation as described above. To install the exposure sheet 12, at least one side of the outer penimeter portion 68 of the exposure sheet is disposed along the respective outer surface 18 and positioned so that the central exposure portion 66 is at least approximately with the correct alignment in the structure 14. The outer penimeter part 68 is placed on the outer surface 18a of the frame member 16a, extended on the average contoured surface 48a and the rest is placed in the channel 26a.

Wherever a piece of the outer penimeter part 68 overlaps the groove pattern 63, the installer pushes against that piece of the outer penimeter part 68 to deflect the resilient fingers 65 and urges the piece of the outer penimeter part 68 a through the enlarged opening formed through the resilient fingers 65 in the groove pattern 63. This action leaves a retained part 70 of the outer penimeter portion 68 of the exposure sheet 12 extending through the groove pattern 63 so that it projects through the opposite or inner side of flexible retainer element 28a, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Typically, and as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, an outermost penimeter edge portion 72 of the outer gauge portion 68 of the exposure sheet 12 remains loose and unattached within the channel 26a, to facilitate subsequent adjustment or removal of the exposure sheet. The exposure sheet 12 can be tensioned and coupled simultaneously with the groove patterns 63 of the flexible retainer element 28 by an installer that frictionally engages the hands along the outer penimeter portion 68 of the exposure sheet 12, in the outer surface 18 of a given frame member 16, to slide the exposure sheet along the outer surface 18 while leaving fingers (or a tool) free to press chunks of the outer penimeter portion 68 through respective patterns of slots 63.

Once at least some of the groove patterns 63 is coupled in this way, the process can be repeated along the entire penimeter of the structure 14. As adjustments are necessary, such as perfecting the alignment of the central exposure part 66 , or smoothing out any wrinkles, for example, the installer may choose to install more material from the outer penimeter part 68 through one or more of the groove patterns 63 either to tighten or move the exposure sheet 12 in that particular region . If the exposure sheet 12 has to be loosened in a particular area, this can be achieved simply by pulling the exposure sheet on its outer penimeter part 68 and / or its outermost penimeter edge portion 72 to reduce the amount of material in the retained part 70. If the complete replacement of the exposure sheet 12 is desired, the exposure sheet can be easily released from the structure 14 simply by pulling the outermost part of the penimeter edge 72 to release the material from the Retained parts 70 of the groove patterns 63. The resilient fingers 65 can be deflected in any direction to retain or release the exposure sheet, depending on the amount of tension or tensile force is applied to the sheet in the vicinity of each pattern. of slots 63.

To further retain the exposure sheet 12 in the structure 14, and to present a more finished appearance as discussed above, the elongated cover elements 50 can be fitted by elastic jump into position in the opening of the channel 26a, by means of the coupling of the front and rear contoured parts 52a, 54a with the rear contoured lip 46a and the average contoured surface 48a, respectively. The act of connecting the cover element 50 walls or holds a piece of the outer penimeter part 68 of the exposure sheet 12 between the front contoured part 52a of the cover element 50 and the middle of the contoured surface 48a of the frame member 16a, as shown in FIG. 5B. It should be noted that, typically, the outer penimeter portion 68 of the exposure sheet 12 will not fit the average contoured surface 48a of the frame member 16a before the installation of the cover element 50a, as shown in FIG. 5A, but instead will assume a more regular form once the material of the outer penimeter part 16, which is represented by broken lines in FIG. 5A.

Once the exposure sheet 12 is properly aligned and sufficiently taut so that substantially no wrinkles are present, and the cover elements 50 are installed, the signal assembly 10 is ready for installation by mounting on a wall or other Support surface (such as a pole or other substructure, and / or other or more signal assemblies to create a two-sided or polygonal signal assembly) in a conventional manner if it has not already been mounted. Exposure sheet 12 can be easily replaced or adjusted in the manner described above, either with or without the use of tools. With the structure 14 assembled, the exposure sheet 12 can be adjusted or replaced simply by removing one or more of the cover elements 50 and adjusting the tension of the outer penimeter part 68 of the exposure sheet 12 in the vicinity of one or more more groove patterns 63, and then reconnecting the cover elements 50. This can be achieved with the structure 14 still supported on a wall or other surface or substructure, or the structure can be removed or placed on a table or other work surface , if desired.

Thus, the signal assembly of the present invention provides a substantially rigid structure to support a flexible exposure sheet in a manner that facilitates rapid adjustment or replacement of the exposure sheet without the need for tools. The exposure sheet is wrapped around an outer part of the structure and enters a channel, in which it is releasably retained in a flexible retaining element disposed in the channel.

The flexible retaining element may be a strip of resilient sheet material that defines one or more patterns of slots or slits and / or openings that are releasably coupled to parts of the exposure sheet penimeter. A cover element can be used to cover the channel 1 and to present a finished appearance along the outside of the structure. The resulting signal is typically light and can easily be serviced by a single person, and the exposure sheet can be replaced or adjusted as desired without removing the signal assembly from a wall or other support surface.

Changes and modifications can be made to the embodiments described specifically without departing from the principles of the present invention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

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Claims (13)

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A set of signal (10) comprising: a structure (14) defining a penimeter region, said structure including at least one frame member (16) having an outer surface (18) and a channel (26) on said outer surface; an exposure sheet (12) that includes an exposure part (66), an outermost part of the penimeter edge (72) surrounding said exposure part (66); Y a flexible retaining element (28) mounted on said channel (26) of said at least one frame member (16), said exposure sheet (12) includes a coupling part (70) comprising flexible sheet material, and wherein a part of said exposure sheet (12) is configured to be placed on at least a part of said outer surface ( 18) of said frame member (16) with said coupling part (70) of said exposure sheet disposed in said channel (26) of said frame member (16); Y wherein said flexible retaining element (28) is configured to releasably engage said coupling part (70) of said exposure sheet when said coupling part (70) is at least partially installed through said flexible retaining element ( 28), characterized in that said coupling part is spaced inwardly from said outermost part of the penimeter edge (72) and that said flexible retaining element comprises a plurality of openings (63) to engage said coupling part (70 ) of said exposure sheet (12). 2. The signal assembly of claim 1, wherein said coupling part (70) comprises a fabric or a tissue-like material. 3. The signal assembly of claim 2, wherein said exposure sheet (12) comprises said tissue or tissue-like material. 4. The signal assembly of any preceding claim, wherein said at least one frame member (16) comprises left and right frame members (16b, 16d) spaced between sf and upper or lower frame members (16a, 16c) spaced from each other, said upper and lower frame members (16a, 16c) join said left and right frame members (16b, 16d) to form a rectangular structure (14). 5. The signal assembly of any preceding claim, wherein said flexible retaining element (28) comprises at least one groove pattern (63) in a flexible strip, said groove pattern defining a plurality of finger parts (65), and wherein said finger portions of said flexible strip deviate in said groove pattern to form an opening when said engagement portion of said exposure sheet is at least partially urged through said groove pattern. 6. The signal assembly of claim 5, wherein said flexible retaining element comprises a repetitive series of said groove patterns (63) in said flexible strip, and wherein said flexible strip deflects into said groove patterns to form openings when said coupling part (70) of said exposure sheet (12) is at least partially installed through said groove patterns (63). 7. The signal assembly of claim 6, wherein said flexible strip defines a frangible region (166 ') between the adjacent of said groove patterns (163'), said frangible region is configured to break or tear with the application of sufficient force to thereby join the adjacent of said groove patterns. 8. The signal assembly of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said flexible retainer element (328) comprises an elastic part (365) defining an opening (363), and wherein said elastic part is stretched to extend said opening and impacting said coupling part of said exposure sheet when said coupling part is at least partially installed through said opening. 9. The signal assembly of any preceding claim, further comprising a cover element (50) configured to cover said channel (26) of said at least one frame member (16). 10. The signal assembly of claim 9, wherein said cover element (50) fits by elastic jump into said at least one frame member (16) in said channel (26). 11. The signal assembly of claim 9, wherein said cover element (550) pivotally engages said at least one frame member (516), and is movable between an opening position in which said channel it is exposed and a closing position in which said channel is covered by said cover element. 12. The signal assembly of claim 9, wherein a part of said exposure sheet is coupled between a part (52) of said cover element (50) and a part (48) of said at least one frame member (16) thereby thereby retaining at least partially said exposure sheet (12) in said at least one frame member (16). 13. The signal assembly of any preceding claim, wherein said flexible retaining element (28) is disposed substantially parallel to said outer surface (18) of said frame member (16). 5 14. A method for assembling a signal (10), said method comprising: wrapping an outer penimeter region (68) of an exposure sheet (12) around the outer surfaces (18) of a structure (14), the penimeter region of the exposure sheet comprising a part of the outermost penimeter edge (72) surrounding an exposure part (66), and a coupling part (70) located inwardly from the outermost part of the penimeter edge (72); 10 to urge the coupling part (70) of the penimeter region (68) of the exposure sheet (12) into the respective one of a plurality of receiving openings (63) formed by flexible retaining elements (28) disposed thereto structure length (14); Y releasingly retaining the coupling part of the penimeter region of the exposure sheet in the respective receiving openings formed by the flexible retaining elements.